ODDI WRTH YR ESGOB...
FROM THE BISHOP...
On this page you can read an edited version of Bishop Gregory's letter to the clergy of the diocese.
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JuLY 2009
Ad Clerum * Feast of SS Peter and Paul
29th June 2009
“Llefara, Arglwydd, canys y mae dy was yn gwrando.”
“Speak, Lord, for your Servant is listening”
(1 Samuel 3.10)
Acts
As we read together through the Book of the Acts of the Apostles at the moment in our morning office, I am sure that we must all be comparing the Church of the Apostles with our own experience of Church today. What strikes me is twofold. First, the disciples of Jesus are confident that they stand in a great tradition, that they are inheritors of the salvation history of God working through the nation of Israel. Having seen God at work in the past, they are confident that God is with them in the present. Secondly, they preach God’s vindication of Jesus at the Christ in the Resurrection. They proclaim a living Lord who is present with them and at work changing hearts, changing lives, changing the world. Christ, not Caesar, is kyrios of the cosmos.
I have been conscious from the beginning of my episcopal ministry of the tradition, of the story, of the Church in this place - to which I have been joined in my coming to you as bishop. But like the rings of growth on a tree, I am also conscious that we are quietly adding our own layer to the tree. In each parish, there has been another year’s growth in the story (even if the story is not all one way towards the flourishing of the Church’s life, for we also face the challenges of decline). I am however confident in the continuing Lordship of Jesus Christ, and in the fact that he is leading us towards new things, that the hearts and lives and world that he now wants to change are ours, yours and mine, and those of our communities.
I hope that the Summer (with all its evidence of the abundance of creation, with time for balmy sunny evenings - I truly hope for this last - and perhaps with a slightly slower pace of Church life) will give us all the opportunity to think about how we hope to be adding to the story of our Church’s life in the next year. What are the goals that you wish to set yourselves with your congregations? I am beginning to ask myself now how my ministry as bishop could make a difference in St Asaph: beyond the fine words, how do I bring growth to the diocese’s life and make a real contribution? I trust that we are all praying with one another, and discerning together how we may do this.
Archiepiscopal See
You will remember that I have fixed a meeting on 28 September for a discussion on the idea for an archiepiscopal see. In response to several requests, I have now changed the planned location for this meeting to St Josephs' School, Wrexham (with the kind permission of the Head, John Kenworthy), on the grounds that it will enable a spread of people from across the diocese to attend. I have already circulated a summary of the proposal to you, but please do raise the matter in your PCCs and your deanery chapters and conferences (if you are holding them) so that we can canvass as wide a range of opinion as possible. Of course, it will be a self-selecting minority who will be present at the meeting in September, but I hope that you will encourage anyone interested to attend, and that all those who do attend will carry with them a cross-section of the opinions they have heard expressed.
Diocesan Conference and Offices
I was glad to see a good turn out at the Diocesan Conference on Sunday 21st June. You will have either been there to experience it for yourself, or will have been able to see the reports of the event on the diocesan website. I would like to record my thanks here, as I spoke at the Conference: to those who worked hard to make the event happen in the cathedral; to all the diocesan administration team and officers, who work hard to sustain our life as diocese, and who carry the load of much of our co-operative work in mission; to the Dean and Archdeacons, who have supported me and who share my ministry for the nurturing of diocesan life; to my Chaplain, Mary, and Secretary, Glenys, who are working tirelessly to keep the episcopal ministry afloat.
Those who attended will have had the opportunity to visit the new Diocesan Offices which are now up and running. The contacts and the faces remain the same; their surroundings are much more conducive to hard work, calm spirits and to giving a warm welcome to all who drop in.
Swine Flu
It is hard to know how seriously to take this issue. On the one hand, there are apocalyptic prophecies, and on the other, the fact that the outbreak has actually hardly impinged on the life of the nation - although I think we must keep in our prayers those for whom it has become a terrible personal tragedy. The truth is that as we move from Summer to Winter, the flu could follow the pattern of earlier pandemics and strike with a vengeance. I would like to advise you therefore to take a look at the government advisory website, to which there is a link under “Resources” then “Clergy” on our own Provincial site. As the scouts would say, “Be prepared!”
The website address is http://www.churchinwales.org.uk/resources/clerics/swineflu.php
Miscellaneous Notices
I’ve been asked to remind you that Investing in Mission grants are still available through the Board of Renewal and Parish Development. Applications should be sent to: Mrs Jane Ayee, Grants secretary, Board of Renewal and Parish Development, Ondine, Kiln Lane, Cross Lanes, Wrexham, LL13 0TG.
Sea Sunday is on July 12th. Resource materials have been sent out, so please consider marking this Sunday in the parishes as a day of prayer for all those who work at sea, and in support of the Mission to Seafarers.
Diocesan Offering Sunday is Sunday 13th September. The appeal this year is in support of Rhyl Samaritans and Hafal. Please remember to use the Offering Packs which are being circulated, and were made available at the Diocesan Conference, and include reference to, and prayers for, the nominated charities on 13th September in the liturgy. Envelopes should be returned to the Cathedral at 7.00 pm on Monday, 12th October at the Diocesan Offering Service. Please note that this year for the first time provision is being made for a local opportunity to mark the Diocesan Offering in parishes and deaneries in addition to the Diocesan service in October.
Ave atque Vale
On September 13th, also, we will be welcoming the Revd Stan Walker to the parish of Rhyl where he will serve as Assistant Priest. Stan came to the Diocese after several years in ministry in Chester Diocese and he has been a priest in the Wrexham benefice since 2003. We wish him well in his new ministry.
We also welcome Phil Atack and David Lewis to the role of Area Dean in the respective deaneries of Rhos and Bangor on Dee. Huw Butler is taking over as new Secretary to the Spirituality and Healing Group, and as Convenor of the College of Spiritual Direction.
I have received notice of the retirement of Raymond Bayley. Raymond has been a faithful priest with a long and distinguished ministry, and I hope that we will find appropriate ways to continue to tap into his talents without interfering with a long and prosperous retirement. Raymond formally retires on 20th September 2009.
In the last month, we have marked the deaths of the Revds John Richards and Llewelyn Richards. John served at Chirk and in Hoylake, and died while resident at Red Rocks Nursing Home in May of this year, where his wife Rachel still resides; Llew was an NSM priest and friend to many in Corwen and Gwyddelwern between 1975 and 1985, and remained busy in the Denaery, until passing away at the home of his daughter Margaret at the age of 94. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.
Ad Clerum
‘Byddaf yn ysgrifennu nesaf ym Medi. Bu ymgyrch lobïo i mi barhau ag Ad Clerum misol (nid oedd unrhyw un yn ddigon dewr i gynnig beirniadaeth – heblaw am un sylw yn ceisio bod yn gynorthwyol ynghylch safon fy Nghymraeg ysgrifenedig, ond rwy’n credu byddai esgob yn trafferthu’r clerigwyr ym mis Awst ychydig yn ormodol’
I will write next in September. There has been some lobbying for me to continue a monthly Ad Clerum (and no-one yet brave enough to offer a critique - except one comment seeking to be helpful about the standard of my written Welsh, but I think a bishop bothering the clergy in August is a bit over the top.
In Christ,
